About Anchorage

Because of Anchorage's latitude, summer days are very long and winter daylight hours are very short. Anchorage is often cloudy during the winter, which decreases the amount of sunlight experienced by residents.

The Anchorage Municipality is home to almost two-fifths of Alaska's population. As of September 7, 2006, 94 languages were spoken by students in the Anchorage School District.

Anchorage is a major port, receiving over 95% of all freight entering Alaska, as well as a hub of the Alaska Railroad. Major industries include government and military, petroleum, and tourism.

Anchorage is located in South Central Alaska. It lies slightly farther north than Oslo, Stockholm, Helsinki and St. Petersburg. According to the United States Census Bureau, the municipality has a total area of 1,961.1 square miles.

Anchorage was established in 1914 as a railroad construction port for the Alaska Railroad, which was built between 1915 and 1923.

Anchorage sends 15 representatives to the 40-member Alaska House of Representatives and 7 senators to the 20-member senate, making up nearly half of both houses.

The Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport is the primary international air freight gateway in the nation, by weight. Twenty-six percent of the tonnage of U.S. international air freight moves through Anchorage.

A diverse wildlife population exists in urban Anchorage and the surrounding area. Approximately 250 black bears and 60 grizzly bears live in the area. Bears are regularly sighted within the city.